Holy Cow

I am afraid of the dentist...scratch afraid, I'm terrified of the dentist, for a whole mulitiude of reasons. Not the least of which is I have soft teeth, no matter what I do, i get cavities, and Had a denist that used to yell at me saying that I didn't take care of my teeth, and then he had a stroke. Some guy with a shaky hand taking a drill at my mouth?! I Don't Think So

This among other reasons has led me not to go back to the dentist....but due to wisdom teeth issues and so forth, I have made my first appointment in 8 years...just thinking of it makes me want to vomit.

Am I crazy, or are there other freaks like me that get this shaken up about the dentist or the doctor

MMMike

#2

Re: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by manda

Let's cover some background here.

I am afraid of the dentist...scratch afraid, I'm terrified of the dentist, for a whole mulitiude of reasons. Not the least of which is I have soft teeth, no matter what I do, i get cavities, and Had a denist that used to yell at me saying that I didn't take care of my teeth, and then he had a stroke. Some guy with a shaky hand taking a drill at my mouth?! I Don't Think So

This among other reasons has led me not to go back to the dentist....but due to wisdom teeth issues and so forth, I have made my first appointment in 8 years...just thinking of it makes me want to vomit.

Am I crazy, or are there other freaks like me that get this shaken up about the dentist or the doctor

I am so with you there Manda. The thought of needles getting shoved into my mouth makes my knees weak. I too didn't go for around 8 years or so. My first visit back I was in the chair for like, two hours. They did the cleaning, and drilled out a couple cavities. They didn't give me a needle because they said the cavities were shallow - most of the drilling was fine, no pain at all, but right at the end they started hitting the nerve. Ouch!! If I could cry, I would....

Jay

#3

RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

8 years?

Some would say that is crazy....

Haggis McBagpipe

#4

Re: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Manda, I sure feel for you. A couple of suggestions, if I may:

For motivation, think of your kids. If you can do this thing, find the right dentist and overcome your fears, it will prevent your kids from growing up with the same unhealthy fear of dentists. Recognizing that the dentist you went to was a jerk should help, as will recognizing that all dentists are NOT created equal.

For choosing the right dentist, call around. A LOT. Be totally upfront about your concerns. Request a visit where you just meet the dentist. Yes, you can do this, and no it won't cost you money. If the dentist or receptionist says no to this, it is not the right office for you. Meet then choose the one with whom you click, the one who makes you feel safe. The right dentist is out there, it is just a matter of finding him or her.

manda

#5

RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

I have the dentist now....and my kids love the dentist...while I quake in fear in the waiting room, and white knuckle the chair at the sound of the drill. My oldest laughs at me about it.

I had 2 detists in my life, one lied to me when I was in grad three and said that he was polishing my teeth when he was filling a cavity, hit the nerve, blood spurted.

Needless to say, lil manda screamed, kicked the dentist, and ran out crying.

I nearly passed out when they were sanding the glue off my teeth from my braces, started hyperventalating...that takes talent with you're mouth pried and held open

annabattler

#6

RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

I'm im my mid sixties,and still quake whenever I HAVE to make a dental appointment.
I can remember when I was seven...I obstinately stood in front of MY swing and demanded that Dennis Millard get OFF(I was an only child,not used to the subtle nuances of negotiation,lol)...he promptly swang into me,his feet hit my mouth and broke off my two front teeth.
Dr.Howe(interesting how some names stick,lol)pulled those teeth,without benefit of freezing!!!
I've found a decent man(for a dentist,that is,lol),but still am resistant to seeing him. I do not let the "assistants" do any teeth scaling or cleaning...it hurts,and furthermore I always end up with some sort of abscess on my gums afterward.

manda

#7

RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

The receptionist was really good, and the dentist is a woman, and the receptionist promised to let her know, just how scared I was

NickFun

#8

RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

When I was a kid my first dentist was Dr Von Sydow - an escaped Nazi war criminal. He would put the drill in without novocain while asking repeatedly "is it safe?"

manda

#9

Re: RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by NickFun

When I was a kid my first dentist was Dr Von Sydow - an escaped Nazi war criminal. He would put the drill in without novocain while asking repeatedly "is it safe?"

YI

I think not

#10

Re: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

I'm assuming Manda can't bare to watch "The Marathon Man"

Jo Canadian

#11

Re: RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Jay

8 years?

Some would say that is crazy....

No crazy is that I haven't been to the dentist either since I was 12 (I'm 31 now). At least for me I still don't have any cavities or other nasties yet...yet.

Curiosity

#12

Re: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Manda

Ask for a lightweight Valium to take before you visit - he can prescribe one....and I am surprised any dentist you visit hasn't already offered one. It isn't going to make an addict of you but
will relax you enough so the freezing can take hold.

For the novocaine injection there are topical gum ointments which numb and allow the needle to penetrate without discomfort. You can even have a relaxer shot in the arm before the procedure and sleep through the whole thing.

I'd find another more up to date dentist. Nobody should have to experience pain any more - even if you are terrified, you should not have pain administered with a routine procedure.

I am so sorry you have to go through this - as well as the other people who have written about their experiences. I was in that same boat from childhood until adulthood - until I met the guy who decided he either had to find a way to treat his patients in comfort or get out of the business of dentistry. He decided to try the "comfort" path first and it worked.

Jay

#13

Re: RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Jo Canadian

Quote: Originally Posted by Jay

8 years?

Some would say that is crazy....

No crazy is that I haven't been to the dentist either since I was 12 (I'm 31 now). At least for me I still don't have any cavities or other nasties yet...yet.

(I'm 31 now)

And here I thought you were older than I....

Jo Canadian

#14

Re: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Wednesday's Child

Manda

Ask for a lightweight Valium to take before you visit - he can prescribe one....and I am surprised any dentist you visit hasn't already offered one. It isn't going to make an addict of you but
will relax you enough so the freezing can take hold.

For the novocaine injection there are topical gum ointments which numb and allow the needle to penetrate without discomfort. You can even have a relaxer shot in the arm before the procedure and sleep through the whole thing.

I'd find another more up to date dentist. Nobody should have to experience pain any more - even if you are terrified, you should not have pain administered with a routine procedure.

I am so sorry you have to go through this - as well as the other people who have written about their experiences. I was in that same boat from childhood until adulthood - until I met the guy who decided he either had to find a way to treat his patients in comfort or get out of the business of dentistry. He decided to try the "comfort" path first and it worked.

I found out that this dentist is really good...I think the other one never did anything like that because he felt that it was pennance for neglecting my teeth...although they were never neglected..

Valium sounds like a better idea than the blood thinningpint of whiskey I was going to bring in .

Maybe I'll get to the porcelin veneers yet...I have insurance, dr. moore will have a heyday with me, I'm sure

Jo Canadian

#15

Re: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by I think not

I'm assuming Manda can't bare to watch "The Marathon Man"

never saw it in my life

Jo Canadian

#16

RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

oops...wrong log in!!!

manda

#17

RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

/there, this is me

...that was bound to happen eventually :P

Haggis McBagpipe

#18

RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Jo Canadian and Manda are the same person?

Anyway, one wants to be careful with Valium, not because of an addiction concern but rather because apparently Valium is not effective if you are highly stressed when you take it. I know, that makes no sense, but aparently it is true. Taking the drug can stress you out even more.

manda

#19

Re: RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by Haggis McBagpipe

Jo Canadian and Manda are the same person?

Anyway, one wants to be careful with Valium, not because of an addiction concern but rather because apparently Valium is not effective if you are highly stressed when you take it. I know, that makes no sense, but aparently it is true. Taking the drug can stress you out even more.

no, jo canadian is mr. manda....doubt I'll need the valium anyway

Haggis McBagpipe

#20

Re: RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by manda

Quote: Originally Posted by Haggis McBagpipe

Jo Canadian and Manda are the same person?

Anyway, one wants to be careful with Valium, not because of an addiction concern but rather because apparently Valium is not effective if you are highly stressed when you take it. I know, that makes no sense, but aparently it is true. Taking the drug can stress you out even more.

no, jo canadian is mr. manda....doubt I'll need the valium anyway

Mr. Manda! 8-)

One other idea, from someone who isn't that keen on the dentist. You know how one sometimes gets that really amazing 'I can do anything' feeling, that total sense of power, of invincibility? Make your appointment right then. Then you just have to keep it, which, although tricky, is less hard, I think, than making the call.

Whatever way you do, good luck. 8-)

Jay

#21

Re: RE: Holy Cow

Jan 31st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by manda

/there, this is me

...that was bound to happen eventually :P

You need atleast two computers in the house!

manda

#22

RE: Holy Cow

Feb 1st, 2006

yeah, the login was stuck in his name....dang.

I made the call....my appointment is next wednesday for a consult and referral....and I have the promise that the dentist will go in stages, and stop if I start to cry.

She seems to be a sweetie.....

What can i say....I have few fears in life, but the dentist is my kryptonite

Haggis McBagpipe

#23

Re: RE: Holy Cow

Feb 1st, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by manda

yeah, the login was stuck in his name....dang.

I made the call....my appointment is next wednesday for a consult and referral....and I have the promise that the dentist will go in stages, and stop if I start to cry.

She seems to be a sweetie.....

What can i say....I have few fears in life, but the dentist is my kryptonite

Manda, that office sounds great! You will be fine. Everything I've seen of you on this forum tells me that this is hurdle you can easily overcome with the help of a nice dentist. One good experience will lead to another, and another, and one day you will realize that you've just come and gone to an appointment without any of the old accompanying fear.

Sassylassie

#24

Re: Holy Cow

Feb 1st, 2006

Manda; here is a trick I use when I go to the dentist. Focus on one spot on the ceiling or wall take a deep breath through your nose and count to ten (in your head) exhale your breath and count to ten back-wards. Stay focused and you will find that time passes very quickly and you don't notice if there is any pain because you are so focused on the breathing. It stunned my dentist that I could have a root canal with out freezing using meditation. Good luck, you will be fine.

manda

#25

RE: Holy Cow

Feb 15th, 2006

Allright Guys...I made it through the initial consultation, and go to have my cleaning done and meet with the surgeon to have my wisdom teeth removed in April. I had x-rays, that was fine, and then the denist tilted the chari....and my eyes teared up...but I made it through. She then looked in my mouth with a mirror and that was fine, but I cried when she pulled out the pick, so she's waiting until my cleaning is done to use it.

I think I found the right denitst folks!

tracy

#26

RE: Holy Cow

Feb 15th, 2006

You're not wierd. I have dentist issues since getting my wisdom teeth pulled. For some reason, I didn't get an oral surgeon. My dentist just kept sticking me with needles and then cutting and pulling out my teeth. It took over 2 hours and my mouth had to be renumbed several times. I have had trouble with making regular appointments ever since. Everyone else I know got to be put under anesthesia and have a surgeon do it and had a much better experience, so I'm sure yours will go fine. I wish I could be put out for all dental visits.

Jay

#27

Re: RE: Holy Cow

Feb 15th, 2006

Quote: Originally Posted by manda

Allright Guys...I made it through the initial consultation, and go to have my cleaning done and meet with the surgeon to have my wisdom teeth removed in April. I had x-rays, that was fine, and then the denist tilted the chari....and my eyes teared up...but I made it through. She then looked in my mouth with a mirror and that was fine, but I cried when she pulled out the pick, so she's waiting until my cleaning is done to use it.

I think I found the right denitst folks!

Good girl!!

I was at the dentist yesterday...I left $1100.00 lighter than when I went in....

manda

#28

RE: Holy Cow

Feb 15th, 2006

I'm lucky enough to have 80% insurance coverage, and the oral surgeon is going to knock me out, despite the fact that I don't handle anaesthetic that well, and always vomit after the fact...they feel that it will be better for me that having me that freaked out

Jay

#29

RE: Holy Cow

Feb 15th, 2006

We have a "preventative" insurance plan at work.

Not very useful IMO.

Said1

#30

RE: Holy Cow

Feb 15th, 2006

The last time I went to the dentist, I had to get a wisdom tooth removed. I was at that point where a hammer would have been fine, however, when she came at me with that metal 'craw" like thing, I shut my mouth and refused to open it until she put it down. She doesn't need that cavity picker to PULL a tooth.

I'm not really afraid of the dentist, just the "craw" hitting my cavity or anything that might hurt.